Should I Upgrade My PC or Buy a New One?

3wer on 27/03/2024 - 00:54

Hi all, I bought my PC in 2019 for about $1700. It was custom pre-built and I definitely spent way too much on it looking back.

Now, the Graphics card for some time has been constantly overheating when trying to launch any game and goes crazy with its fans.

Not even talking about the latest AAA games, which it can hardly run, but even Lego games at this point lead to 100% fan speed with still unsatisfactory FPS.

I have thought about upgrading the PC, changing GPU and adding a cooling system, but at that point I found out I could just buy a new PC as shown in this deal posted a few hours ago; https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/838120. So should I bother upgrading my current PC, or should I just buy a new one and put in my current HDD and SSD into the new one. (the latter of which has Windows 11 installed).

I am not that much of a computer wiz, so advise and recommendations for what I should do will be much appreciated.
My main goal is to be able to play the latest games again. Mainly looking for 1080p at around 144fps (if possible).

Here are my specs for my current PC:
GPU - ASUS GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Dual OC 6GB
CPU - AMD Ryzen 5 3600 with Wraith Stealth
Motherboard - ASUS Prime B450M-A Motherboard
RAM - Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK16GX4M2B3000C15 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4
SSD - ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro M.2 NVMe SSD 512GB
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 2TB ST2000DM008 3.5in Hard Drive
PSU - Cooler Master MWE Gold Fully Modular 750W (broke down and had to replace it with an Thermaltake GF A3 850W 80+ Gold Fully Modular)
Case - Phanteks Eclipse P350X Tempered Glass D-RGB Black

One again, thanks in advace for the help!!

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 27/03/2024 - 01:06
    +2

    I would replace the thermal paste on the GPU and see if that fixes the overheating issue.

    Plenty of videos on YouTube for that specific model.

    Might as well do the CPU while you're in there.

    Perform a fresh OS install, make sure all the drivers and firmwares are current and go from there.

    • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 01:08

      I have already gone the fresh OS install route and hasn’t at all helped.

      As far as the thermal paste is concerned I have considered it, but I am afraid of breaking/ruining something since it involves opening up the graphics card and I am really not a computer person. Would you say the Graphics card is sturdy enough that as along as I follow an online things should turn out fine?

      • Muzeeb on 27/03/2024 - 01:13
        +2

        Watch a variety of videos 3 or 4 times to understand the process. Choose the one you understand best and watch it a few more times.

        Just take your time and follow the steps correctly.

        Use the correct tools. Ie. Don't use a knife as a screw driver etc.

        I believe in you and I think you will feel very rewarded at the end.

        Your machine is hardly a beast by today's standards but it is still more than capable.

        • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 01:28

          Firstly, I’d just like to say that your detailed response is much appreciated.

          Secondly, which thermal paste would you say I should get for my Graphics card?

          I’ve found this one on Amazon for a good price and is 13.9w/m-k. Is that good enough?
          https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09NJM6C1C/

          • Muzeeb on 27/03/2024 - 01:33
            +1

            @3wer: I've been out of the desktop PC game for a while so not sure of the current preferred brand. Someone will surely answer here in the next 8 hours. I would stick with a known, established brand and not necessarily the cheapest.

            • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 01:49

              @Muzeeb: If you don’t mind me asking, what led you to being out of the desktop PC game space for a while?

              What did you replace the hobby with? (unless it was a situation of moving to a different console).

              You of course don’t have to share if you don’t wish to.

              • Muzeeb on 27/03/2024 - 01:56
                +1

                @3wer: I was just helping my son at the time build his dream pc. We did a heap of research and spent a lot of money (ouch!) It was a great father son project. I never gamed except for running over prostitutes in GTA V for a bit of fun.

                I get by with a Chromebook these days. Lenovo duet 5 does everything I need.

                We now spend most of our time together in the shed working on cars. Currently in the middle of a 304 rebuild and swap VR Commodore project.

                • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 02:06

                  @Muzeeb: That’s awesome!
                  Glad to hear you managed to get some sweet quality father-son bonding time!

                • pharkurnell on 27/03/2024 - 10:13

                  @Muzeeb:

                  I never gamed except for running over prostitutes in GTA V for a bit of fun

                  No leisure suit larry?

          • Che0063 on 27/03/2024 - 06:46
            +1

            @3wer: That looks like a terrible thermal paste. Keep in mind that W/m-k values don't matter. What you need for GPU (direct-die) applications is something that is resistant to pump out and heat cycling. I've used the MX-4 which everybody seems to praise, and whilst it works well for a month or so, temperatures quickly shoot up again

            Try the PTM7950 - it's what many laptop manufacturers use as factory thermal solutions that are leagues better (and more reliable and long lasting) than thermal paste that rapidly dries, pumps out, or degrades under the high heat density of direct-die chips.

            • 3wer on 28/03/2024 - 00:41

              @Che0063: What about the Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut? Would you say that one is good?
              I wasn’t able to find the PTM7950 for a decent price.

              • Che0063 on 28/03/2024 - 11:33

                @3wer: I got it for $12 on eBay. I've had the kryonaut and it was susceptible to the same pumpout issue, albeit for longer (about 3 months).

        • CrispyChrispy on 27/03/2024 - 01:50
          -2

          Use the correct tools. Ie. Don't use a knife as a screw driver etc.

          Don't forget your anti-static bracelet

      • freefall101 on 27/03/2024 - 01:46

        Sell the GPU and buy a new one sounds the best response.

        • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 01:47

          Where would you suggest I sell it and for how much?

          • CrispyChrispy on 27/03/2024 - 01:50

            @3wer: eBay, have a look how much current 1660Tis go for

            Might need to list as faulty/for parts tho if it's overheating

          • freefall101 on 27/03/2024 - 01:55

            @3wer: Search on facebook/gumtree/ebay what other people are selling 1660tis for. Ebay is great because you can search by sold items. But I'm guessing around $150.

            Where to sell is a crapshoot, whatever your preferred method of selling used bits and pieces.

            The thermal paste change is a good idea, but if you don't want to try that the upgrade is a good plan. CPU you have is more than fast enough for lego-like games (and most games, really) but an upgrade is the easy path. Maybe talk to a local PC place though? You can probably do an upgrade to a 5600X and a new GPU as the cheapest option.

            • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 02:07

              @freefall101: The Lego games is just because my PC can hardly run anything else. I would like to have the ability to play the latest AAA games. Which GPU would you recommend me to upgrade to?

              I looked at an RTX 4060 and it goes for around 500$. The PC deal I found with that GPU is for about $720. Wouldn't it be more worth it to just get that new system at that point?

      • JIMB0 on 27/03/2024 - 11:11

        but I am afraid of breaking/ruining something

        It's already broken. You've got nothing to lose.

  • CrispyChrispy on 27/03/2024 - 01:55
    +5

    You definitely don't need to get a new PC entirely, a CPU and GPU upgrade will make it feel brand new.

    Find a Ryzen 5600X or if you really want a 5800X3D (have a look at the whole Ryzen 5000 lineup, make your own informed decision) and get a solid GPU and you'll be playing at least 1440p 144Hz or better.

    Will probably want a new CPU cooler too.

    • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 02:05

      Which GPU would you suggest I upgrade to?
      I would definitely like the option to be able to place the latest games (e.g. Far Cry 6, the upcoming GTA 6 and the upcoming Marvel 1943 game)

      • CrispyChrispy on 27/03/2024 - 11:33
        +2

        See if you can find a 6800 XT (or a 7800 XT if it's the same price)? If you don't need that much power than a 7600 XT or something would be decent too.

        Definitely look at a CPU upgrade too and you'll run all the games you want to.

        • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 19:09

          Hmm, from what I could find just the GPU alone will end up costing around $700, which is the price of the PC in that Ozbargain deal I linked to earlier.
          If that + a new cpu will be at least $900, wouldn’t it be more worth while to just buy that linked PC?

          • CrispyChrispy on 27/03/2024 - 20:12

            @3wer:

            Hmm, from what I could find just the GPU alone will end up costing around $700, which is the price of the PC in that Ozbargain deal I linked to earlier.

            Yeah but a 6800 XT will smoke a RTX 4060. Not saying it's a bad deal at all, it's undeniably good value for $700.

            Watch some YT benchmarks on the specs of that $700 machine, if you're happy with that level of performance and don't need more then by all means, snag the deal whilst you still can!

            • 3wer on 28/03/2024 - 23:12

              @CrispyChrispy: I have found a good deal for a 6800. Would you say it's worth going for that despite that particular card's age?
              Also found a decent deal for the 7700xt, which of the two would you recommend more?

              • CrispyChrispy on 29/03/2024 - 00:08

                @3wer: How much for the 7700 XT? I'm using one right now, does everything I want it to though admittedly it's not the best value card out there

                A 6800 is a decent option, the 16GB VRAM is nice. Still holds up well today imo though its performance will be worse than the 7700XT I think

                • 3wer on 29/03/2024 - 00:44

                  @CrispyChrispy: The 7700 XT is a little more but I could get.

                  Thing is from researching online it seemed most say that the 6800 XT is more worthwhile to get than the 7700 XT. Would you say it’s the other way around?

                  • CrispyChrispy on 29/03/2024 - 02:15

                    @3wer: The 6800XT is the better option, no questions asked.

                    • 3wer on 29/03/2024 - 15:57

                      @CrispyChrispy: Sorry I just realised it was a regular 6800 and not the XT version. Is it still the better option?

  • AustriaBargain on 27/03/2024 - 02:32
    -1

    If you have a girlfriend or something that wants to play with you you could get a new one and let her use the old one. Or turn the old one into a media server/torrent machine.

    • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 03:24

      I would not have another use for my old PC.

      • AustriaBargain on 27/03/2024 - 05:01

        I'd get a new one then. You'd really want to upgrade most of the parts on it anyway if you want it to be good for another good long while.

  • OMGJL on 27/03/2024 - 10:43

    3600 is not the best CPU out there now but it certainly wasn't garbage.
    1660ti sits on the very same boat.

    those should definitely be able to run AAA games in low setting with acceptable frame rate, and also normal games fluently.

    if not, it suggest there's either hardware setup problem (since you mentioned Windows has been re-installed so I assume no software setup issue ——- unless you have run any optimizer app)

    or there's thermal issue, either from:
    1. case not ventilated enough
    2. case doesn't come with much fans
    3. bad thermal paste application
    4. thermalpaste dry out.

    these sort of issue can be revealed by hwinfo sensors, there's throttle reasons to check.

    there could also be reasons like half-faulty connection, for example your GPU running on PCIe Gen1 x16, or like Gen3 x1. you can check on GPUz.

    you can gather more info and come back.

    But the conclusion is either you want to spend more effort on fixing this pc before putting in any fund, or simply getting another one from another vendor altogether, if you can't diagnostic, don't upgrade it, you risk not fixing what's dragging you back.

    • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 19:12

      The specs are exactly as listed.
      I’ll try to run some fresh tests when I get a chance, but when I have done those in the past I recall the CPU remaining at reasonable temperature but the GPU getting too hot.
      Should I instead look into getting a cooler? From what I understand coolers are generally dubbed ‘CPU coolers’ would they still benefit the GPU? (apologies if it’s a stupid question)

      • CrispyChrispy on 27/03/2024 - 20:14

        I understand coolers are generally dubbed ‘CPU coolers’ would they still benefit the GPU?

        CPU coolers suck in air to cool down the CPU, so no, wouldn't benefit your GPU.

        Case fans are another story.

        • 3wer on 28/03/2024 - 03:34

          Thanks for the reply. Two questions:
          1) Which thermal paste would you recommend
          2) Would installing a set of 2 140mm fans be better than 3 120mm fans?

      • OMGJL on 27/03/2024 - 23:55
        +1

        That GPU sucks at cooling, it only contains a crushed piece of aluminium.

        I remember years ago when I still work at one computer store, I told a man that this particular GPU wasn't that great at cooling with the very same sentence as above, and that man rolled his eyes saying if manufacturers designed it it must be fine.

        Well, I can try to help for lack of information but I can't help stupidity, lol.

        If you could 1, change GPU thermal paste and 2, fit a fan blowing air upwards, it might help on reducing heat.

        There are pcie to 12cm fan adapter you can search for.

        • 3wer on 28/03/2024 - 00:21

          That’s great to know. Do you have a recommendation for a particular fan adapter that would suit my case?

          • OMGJL on 30/03/2024 - 01:52

            @3wer: 3 Fan Mount Rack PCI Slot Bracket+20 Screw+4 Connector for Video GPU Card Cooler https://amzn.asia/d/gxUPAeE

            Mind you this is not a good price. Try search same item on AliExpress or temu. Should really only cost $2

  • 7ekn00 on 27/03/2024 - 11:10
    +1

    Drop in a 5800X3D and get a new GPU and it will feel like a whole new PC ;)

    • 3wer on 27/03/2024 - 19:06

      but doing that would end up costing at least $750 from what I could find.
      That would be the same price of that PC deal I referred to in the post. Wouldn’t it be more worth while to just get that new PC in that case?

      • 7ekn00 on 27/03/2024 - 20:15
        -1

        New PC is ITX so will be heat limited and can (depending on careful cooling) run games like dog turd (and certainly WORSE than the current PC) :/

        Here are examples of games with 3600 vs 12400F (and this is ASSUMING you get full speed on the ITX form factor):
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfyt14ZEio0
        (so, on average, you gain absolutely nothing from buying the 12400F over what you already have)

        While a 5800X3D (or 5700X3D if on a budget) + 4070 Super will bring your PC into the top 20% of CURRENT gaming performance builds ….
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpEmN-FhwvI
        (5700X3D almost DOUBLES performance over the 12400F)

        Your choice of course, but new PC is throwing money at the wall when you have a decent upgrade path available ;)

        • 3wer on 28/03/2024 - 00:29

          Cheapest I could find a 4070 Super was $1000, much more than the $725 PC deal I referred to. And that’s excluding the CPU upgrade.

          What would be a better upgrade path that stays within the $800-ish price range?

          • 7ekn00 on 28/03/2024 - 08:27

            @3wer: A better GPU, something like a 7600XT

            • 3wer on 28/03/2024 - 09:38

              @7ekn00: Looking it up, the 7600XT doesn't seem to perform much better than the 4060
              https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/nvidia-rtx-4060-vs-a…

              • 7ekn00 on 28/03/2024 - 10:06

                @3wer: Has more VRAM … but whatevs, I don't care, get the ITX, spend more for the same performance and be heat limited by CPU this time ;)

                • 3wer on 28/03/2024 - 23:13

                  @7ekn00: I have found a good deal for the RX 6800. Would you say I should go for it despite that card's age?

                  Edit: forgot to mention I also found a decent deal for the 7700xt, which of the two would you recommend more?

  • garetz on 27/03/2024 - 15:54

    My usual rule of thumb is if the pc is older than 4-5 years, get a new pc.

    I used to try to recycle as many parts as i could, but i used an old psu once, and it blew up taking out the rest of the system.

    Since then i categorise the pc as gpu - cpu/mobo/ram - and the rest of the system as standalone.

    If you want to just replace the gpu for budgetary concerns, just do that.
    In your case I would replace everything.

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